The Essentials You Need to Build a Better Bar Cart

Collecting Tools of the Trade

You can pick and choose what tools to stock up on based on how involved you want to get, Clark says. If you like uniformity—or just want to get the essentials in one fell swoop, nab a set. 

Best sets:

• Snowe Cocktail Shaker Set, $150, includes cobbler shaker, jigger, and bar spoon
• Juliska Graham Bar Tool Set, $198, includes stand, bottle opener, strainer, bar spoon, double jigger, and muddler

If you want a more eclectic bar cart, play with metals and glass. Here are the individual items mandatory for cocktail mastery:

• Boston Cocktail Shaker: Chubo Yukiwa Boston Shaker, $93
• Cobbler Cocktail Shaker: Georg Jensen Sky Cocktail Shaker, $129
• Hawthorne Strainer: Koriko Hawthorne Strainer, $16
• Julep Strainer: Steelz Match Pewter Cocktail Strainer, $82 
• Citrus Juicer: Chef’n FreshForce Citrus Juicer, $25
• Petty Knife: Sakai Takayuki Sugihara Damascus Petty 80mm (3.1″), $180
• Fruit Peeler: Zwilling Pro Tools Y Peeler, $25
• Bitters Bottle: CB2 Potion Glass Elixir Bottle, $13
• Whiskey Decanter: CB2 Dial Hand Cut Decanter, $70

Stocking Your Cart: Spirits, Syrups, Salt, and More

“When stocking your home bar, it’s best to determine what your budget is and build initially on what you like to drink,” Clark says. Of course, if you like to entertain, then it makes sense to buy a range of spirits, liqueurs, bitters, and syrups so you can make a multitude of cocktails. Here’s the Men’s Journal booze blueprint:

• Spirits: bourbon (High West American Prairie Bourbon), rye whiskey (Tincup Rye), gin (Gray Whale Gin), reposado tequila (Viva XXXII Reposado Tequila), aged rum (Mount Gay Black Barrel), and vodka (Suntory Haku Vodka)
• Liqueurs: Campari, Aperol, sweet vermouth (Martini & Rossi Riserva Speciale Rubino), dry vermouth (Dolin Dry Vermouth), triple sec (Cointreau)
• Bitters: Angostura Bitters, Orange, Peychaud’s Aromatic Bitters, and chocolate bitters
• Syrups: simple syrup and demerara syrup
• Garnish: Saltverk Flaky Sea Salt, fresh herbs (mint, rosemary, etc.), and citrus (orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit)

Getting the Right Glassware

You don’t need every type of glass under the sun, Clark says, but it’s a safe bet to have rocks/double rocks, coupe, martini, collins, and shot glasses whether you’re enjoying a libation alone or with a crowd. If you’re shopping online, “Cocktail Kingdom has really great glassware and Amazon is also a solid bet,” Clark says. If you want to hunt around brick and mortar stores, try “Goodwill for really one-off, unique glassware,” he adds. “You’d be surprised what you can find in there.” Just be mindful that you want to avoid lead crystal glass, as it can leach into your drink.

Here are some of our top (lead-free) picks:

• Rocks – Libbey Perfect Scotch Set, ($27.99; set of 4): The diamond-cut glass isn’t just aesthetically striking, it provides an easy grip. These beauties are perfect for sipping Scotch neat—but they’re also versatile enough for a multitude of cocktails. If you want double rocks, opt for the equally beautiful Libbey Hobstar Double Old Fashioned Glasses.
• Coupe – Riedel Superleggero Coupe ($90; set of 1): The enlongated stem of this ultra-thin crystal coupe glass adds some added elegance to your champagne toasts. 
• Martini – Snowe Martini Glasses ($60; set of 4): These martini glasses look brilliant but don’t cost an arm and a leg. We love the modern lines but that the stem isn’t so dainty. It feels substantial in your hand and you won’t be petrified of snapping it mid-toast or when you’re cleaning up (they’re dishwasher safe!).
• Collins/Highball – Luigi Bormioli Classico Tall Beverage Glasses ($30; set of 4): Classic and streamlined, this is an excellent go-to for vodka sodas and gin and tonics from a beloved Italian-made brand. 
• Shot – Food52 Hammered Copper Shot Cups ($45; set of 4): These hammered copper shot cups have enough visual intrigue to jazz up a bar cart without clashing with more traditional barware. 

Find Your Cocktail Bible

While coffee table books are for show, you want you bar cart books to serve double duty. You want manuals that offer plenty of recipes, how-tos, and advice. “Both of the Death & Co. books: Modern Classics and Cocktail Codex are my personal go-tos,” says Clark. We also like Meehan’s Bartender Manual. All are James Beard Award-winning guides for building for own bar. They comprise loads of recipes and tips for leveling up your cocktails.